Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Brighton are poised to pull off a major coup on transfer deadline day with the "impact" signing of former Valencia and Spanish international star Vicente Rodrigues.The 30-year-old left winger is on the brink of teaming up with the table-topping Seagulls on a free transfer, subject to passing a medical.Albion expect to complete the deal today, although it does not have to be done before tonight's 11pm transfer window deadline since Vicente is a free agent.Vicente has been looking for a new club since Valencia released him at the end of last season after 11 years service.He won two La Liga titles with them under Rafael Benitez and the Copa del Rey and has been capped 38 times by Spain.Albion already have lots of competition in wide areas, provided by Craig Noone, Kazenga LuaLua and Will Buckley, but the chance to add Vicente to their Championship challenge was regarded as too good to miss.Although hit by recent injury problems, the former Levante wide man was twice targeted by Real Madrid earlier in his career.They made a bid of 36 million euros for Vicente, who was also linked in the summer with a move to Premier League Blackburn Rovers.

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Leeds winger Max Gradel looks set to leave the club after French side St Etienne agreed a fee for his services.The Ligue 1 club announced the double swoop of Gradel and fellow winger Banel Nicolita on their website on Tuesday.
'ASSE has gone on the offensive,' a statement said. 'On Tuesday evening, agreements were reached for the arrivals of Romanian midfielder Banel Nicolita and Leeds striker Max-Alain Gradel.'Both players, who have been in the sights of St Etienne for several weeks, will on Wednesday undergo the traditional medical before completing the final terms of their contracts with ASSE.'Gradel, 23, was the club's player of the season last term after scoring 18 goals and making seven assists.The French club have not disclosed any details about the transfer fee, but said Gradel would undergo a medical on Wednesday before completing the deal.

The Ivory Coast international joined Leeds from Leicester in January 2010 after a successful loan spell.

Middlesbrough have made a £1million-plus bid for Lukas Jutkiewicz.Hard-up Sky Blues are already hoping to cash in on Ben Turner, who is wanted by Cardiff, before Wednesday night’s transfer window closes.And it remains to be seen if the club will resist such an offer for their highest-profile striker.The sale of the 22-year-old centre forward would certainly be a hammer blow to manager Andy Thorn, who has been desperately trying to draft in a replacement goal scorer for Marlon King all summer without success, and would leave him next to no time to recruit replacements.Cardiff have been trying to offload Jon ‘The Beast’ Parkin in a cash-plus-player deal – believed to be worth £750,000 – for Turner, although the big target man doesn’t seem to readily fit in with Thorn’s football philosophy.The City boss is also hoping the club shun any advances for Jutkiewicz who is the scorer of the Sky Blues' only two Championship goals so far this season, including the second half equaliser that earned a confidence-boosting point at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.But the forward would surely be keen on a move that would not only see him exchange Coventry’s survival battle for Boro’s promotion drive but earn him a hefty pay rise.Earlier this month, when Burnley expressed an interest, he declared: “It was nice to hear that they had put in an offer."It massages the ego a bit but I’ve been happy enough here and it’s up to Coventry to decide whether they want to sell me or not.“I’m Coventry’s player and they deemed that the bid put in was not acceptable to how they value me.”

Although already aware of his ability, Jutkiewicz will no doubt have caught Tony Mowbray’s eye when the Boro boss ran the rule over Coventry in their 0-0 draw with Watford at the Ricoh last week when the former Everton forward put in a typically industrious performance.

And if he needed further evidence of his ability, that was confirmed on Saturday when he headed home the goal to deny the manager’s side the full three points to take them to the top of the table.

Mowbray sat in front of reporters after the game and was asked if he is trying to do any business in the transfer market before the window closes on Wednesday.

The former Celtic and West Brom manager admitted that he is hoping to strengthen his forward line – where he currently only has seven-goal Marvin Emnes fit – with a couple of strikers, revealing that the club were “well down the line,” on a couple of deals, although there was no hint that Jutkiewicz was one of them.

Monday, 29 August 2011

Peterborough are poised to complete the capture of winger Daniel Kearns, according to his Irish club Dundalk.
Belfast-born Kearns, 20, started his career at West Ham before moving to Dundalk in August 2010 following his release at Upton Park.A statement on Dundalk's official website confirmed a deal had been agreed, adding the youngster will travel to London Road on Monday for a medical and to complete paperwork.Kearns himself told www.dundalkfc.com: "I'm delighted with it."It's a massive step for me. It's a massive opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it. And obviously I'm really looking forward to, hopefully, playing under Darren Ferguson, going in and getting a chance and showing him what I'm about."

Birmingham could be set to fight it out with Cardiff over the capture of Coventry defender Ben Turner ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline.Turner was Coventry's stand-out performer over the opening months of last season before having to undergo a knee ligament operation which has sidelined him ever since.The Birmingham-born 23-year-old is now close to making his long-awaited return after the serious injury, but it could be that it does not come in the sky blue of Coventry.Cardiff are already in discussions with the cash-strapped club, with Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay telling the Western Mail: "It is something we are trying to get done and we are in talks with Coventry."The Welsh outfit have reportedly offered £750,000 as well as striker Jon Parkin in exchange for Turner, but their interest may well be rivalled by that of Birmingham, who have been monitoring the highly-rated centre-back for some time.Scott Dann appears likely to depart St Andrew's before Wednesday's deadline and some of the money gained would be ploughed back into a move for Turner, who came through the ranks at Coventry.

Sunday, 28 August 2011

Late goals from substitute Jason Scotland and Keith Andrews helped Ipswich come from behind to beat 10-man Leeds at Portman Road.Ross McCormack headed the visitors into the lead during a first half they largely dominated.But Aidy White's dismissal for a professional foul on Jay Emmanuel-Thomas changed the balance of the game.With 13 minutes to go, Scotland fired in an equaliser from 25 yards before Andrews struck to win it for Town.The former Blackburn midfielder's late strike brought great cheer to the Ipswich fans, who had seen their side lose their previous four matches, including 7-1 and 5-2 losses to Peterborough and Southampton.However, it was cruel on Leeds, who had performed well in the first half and looked in control of the game until White's sending off in the 48th minute for fouling Emmanuel-Thomas as he bore down on goal.Prior to that, the visitors created a number of chances, with keeper David Stockdake saving well from McCormack and both Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel firing wide.It was no surprise when Scottish striker McCormack broke the deadlock, stealing in to convert a free header from Snodgrass's cross.But, after White's dismissal, the home side used their numerical advantage to come to the fore.United held out until the 77th minute, but they were powerless to prevent Scotland firing his side level with a sweetly-struck effort, five minutes after he had entered the fray.Gradel saw a penalty appeal turned down for the visitors and, with a point apiece looking the likely outcome, up stepped Andrews to drill a deflected effort into the net to send fans at Portman Road wild and consign Leeds to their worst start to a league campaign in 14 years.

Kanu came off the bench to rescue a deserved point for Pompey against Cardiff.After a poor first half the Blues came alive and Greg Halford struck the post, before both the defender and Benjani had efforts cleared off the line.It looked like it was not going to be Pompey’s day when Andrew Taylor fired the Welsh visitors ahead with a neat finish.But Kanu met Tal Ben Haim’s cross 10 minutes from time to earn the draw that the Blues’ second-half display warranted.Steve Cotterill made two changes from the side that drew at Bristol City last week.Erik Huseklepp made his first start alongside Dave Kitson up front, while Joel Ward came in at right-back. Kanu and Aaron Mokoena dropped to the bench.Pompey’s new look strike partnership were lively in the early stages, although David Marshall remained untested in the Cardiff goal.But the Blues could have found themselves behind on 15 minutes when Darcy Blake turned in the box and fired a shot towards the top corner. Fortunately for the hosts, however, Jamie Ashdown managed to palm the ball onto the post.

At the other end, Pompey were still no closer to breaking the deadlock with Hayden Mullins volleying over from 30 yards.But the defence were doing their jobs and Jason Pearce continued his impressive start to his Blues career with a good tackle to dispossess Robert Earnshaw in the box.Cardiff were looking more dangerous as the half progressed, but Pompey almost took the lead with a fluke goal on 22 minutes.

Ward sent a cross into the box from wide on the right but the ball drifted, catching out Marshall and dipping onto the bar.However, it was still the visitors who were looking more likely to score and Ashdown was forced to come tearing off his line to deny Earnshaw.Luke Varney was not too far away for Pompey, turning and curling a shot narrowly over from just inside the box.But the Blues probably went in at the break happy to still be level after a disjointed first-half display.

Cotterill made a tactical switch at the start of the second half with Varney joining Kitson up front and Huseklepp going out to the left.And the Blues were inches away from opening the scoring on 49 minutes when Hayden Mullins was fouled 30 yards from goal.Lawrence laid the free-kick off to Halford, who launched a vicious strike that cannoned back off the post.The Fratton faithful were in no doubt about who they thought could make the difference, singing for Benjani as the Zimbabwean warmed up on the touchline. And Cotterill obliged on 61 minutes, bringing him on to replace Huseklepp.

Pompey were certainly looking brighter than before the break and were putting plenty of pressure on the Bluebirds back-line.Earnshaw was forced to clear Halford’s header off the line on 63 minutes. The ball came back into the box and after a mighty melee, some Blues players thought it had crossed the line – the referee, however, did not agree.Peter Whittingham then came to Cardiff’s rescue, somehow managing to clear Benjani’s close-range effort off the line.It looked to be only a matter of time until Pompey scored, but instead it was the visitors celebrating a goal on 71 minutes.Taylor burst forward from left-back, latched onto Craig Conway’s pass and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Ashdown then stopped the Blues from falling further behind by tearing off his line to block Earnshaw’s shot.

Cotterill brought on Kanu in place of Varney for the final 13 minutes as he tried to find a way back into the match for Pompey.

And it proved to be an inspired substitution as – three minutes later – Ben Haim swung a cross into the box and Kanu stooped to head home.

It could have got even better for the Blues in stoppage time, but Kitson twice had shots blocked in the box.

Josh McQuoid had the best chance as Millwall endured a frustrating afternoon at The Den as they were held to a goalless draw by Barnsley.

The Lions dominated the possession from the off and their best chance came with 15 minutes gone when McQuoid somehow managed to fire wide from two yards out.Jimmy Abdou also had a shot saved by Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele and in the second half Paul Robinson just failed to get a telling touch on Hameur Bouazza's free-kick.Barnsley lacked any real ambition but managed to hold on for a point to build on their first win of the season at Reading last weekend.

A Lukas Jutkiewicz header 14 minutes from time rescued a 1-1 draw for Coventry against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.The Sky Blues remain winless this season but will be buoyed by the result against early pacesetters Boro.Marvin Emnes' first-half strike looked enough to give the home side all three points and six consecutive victories for the first time since 1995.Coventry defender Chris Hussey tried to clear but could only divert the ball into the path of the Dutchman, who finished clinically for his seventh goal of the season.But Jutkiewicz levelled when Hussey's dangerous cross landed at the feet of Roy O'Donovan. His shot was parried by Carl Ikeme but the ball fell to Jutkiewicz who headed the rebound in off the underside of the crossbar.Boro substitute Faris Haroun missed a golden chance to score the winner in the final seconds. He rose high and cannoned a header against the crossbar.

Robbie Brady's strike ended Hull's long wait for a home goal and victory as they beat Reading 1-0 in the npower Championship.The hosts drew a blank in their opening three home matches in league and cup but finally laid that ghost to rest with a battling performance at the KC Stadium.Aaron McLean saw his early shot blocked and Brady's effort was gathered by Adam Federici as Hull pressed.Reading had a chance to test City's defence midway through the half but the usually reliable Ian Harte lifted his free-kick over everyone and out of play.The Tigers continued to press after the break and the industrious Matt Fryatt saw another powerful right-footed effort turned behind by Federici, who then punched Tom Cairney's inswinging corner clear.They then seized the advantage in the 73rd minute when Brady drilled in from 25 yards, a goal which the Royals had no response to.

James Hayter atoned for his second-half penalty miss by scoring the goal that earned Doncaster their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City.After a dismal start to the campaign, Albert Adomah poured more misery on Sean O'Driscoll's beleaguered Rovers by netting on the stroke of half-time.And, to the despair of the home fans, Hayter then blasted wide from the spot after Kyle Bennett was fouled in the box.But, after pressing for an equaliser, Doncaster got it as Hayter turned the hero when he rose to head home Milan Lalkovic's cross.Doncaster headed into the game as the npower Championship's bottom side, pointless and having lost five of their last six games in all competitions.

Charlie Austin struck twice in a 2-1 win to give Burnley their first npower Championship victory of the season and end Derby's 100 per cent start in the league.Burnley took the lead in the 49th minute when Treacy got to the byline and cut the ball back for Austin, who steadied himself with a touch before firing past Frank Fielding from six yards out.Clough's side came close to an equalising goal on two occasions. Ben Davies beat Jensen with a 10-yard shot but the ball was cleared off the line by Ben Mee. Davies was involved again shortly afterwards when his inswinging corner eluded everyone in the box and had to be hacked off the line once more by a Burnley defender.The Clarets then went straight down the other end and Treacy hit the crossbar with a shot from near the penalty spot on the hour.Burnley had not kept a clean sheet in the league for 15 matches and some sloppy defending midway through the second half ensured that was extended to 16 games. Bryson got to the byline after collecting the ball from John Brayford's throw-in and his driven cross was poked home by Robinson from inside the six-yard area.However, the Rams were not level for long. A long-range shot from Wallace was not properly dealt with by Fielding, who could only push the ball back out to Austin and he bagged his second goal off the game.

Stunning goals in each half from Craig Noone and Ryan Harley fired Brighton to the top of the npower Championship as they beat Peterborough 2-0.Brighton should have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Noone escaped down the left and pulled the ball back for Ashley Barnes on the penalty spot, but the striker missed the target.But three minutes later the hosts made the breakthrough they had been threatening. Noone collected a miskick from Peterborough goalkeeper Paul Jones and was allowed to move inside, shift the ball to his left foot and crash a low drive into the corner of the net from 20 yards.Peterborough almost drew level barely 10 seconds after the break when Paul Taylor put Lee Frecklington through to round Casper Ankergren but his shot was cleared off the line by Inigo Calderon.The second goal came in the 64th minute when Tommy Rowe fouled Ashley Barnes 30 yards out and Harley stepped up to curl a stunning free-kick past Jones and into the top corner.Peterborough's best opportunity of the second half fell to Rowe but his shot rolled past the post and with it went the visitors' chances of getting back into the game.

Rickie Lambert's controversial own goal proved decisive as Leicester claimed three much-needed points in a 3-2 win against Southampton.The Foxes were promotion favourites at the start of the season after making several acquisitions but it was Southampton who led the pack going into the game having won their first four matches. That made for an entertaining afternoon at the King Power Stadium, with the hosts finding themselves 2-0 up in the early stages through goals from Darius Vassell and Richie Wellens.Andy King was the orchestrator for the first, capitalising on being afforded too much space to send in a delicious centre, which Vassell nudged past Kelvin Davis and into the net.Jeffery Schlupp, looking a constant threat after replacing the injured David Nugent, held the ball up brilliantly before teeing up Wellens, who struck a gorgeous curler off the inside of the post from 25 yards for the second.Dan Harding pulled a goal back for Saints, nodding in Adam Lallana's cross, before the defining moment came just before the break when Lambert headed past his own goalkeeper. The goal was given, much to the visitors' dismay, despite Sol Bamba appearing to push the Saints striker.David Connolly then pulled another goal back for Nigel Adkins' men after the break - another header - but it proved in vain as Leicester claimed the points.

Crystal Palace substitute Glenn Murray struck a second-half equaliser to deny Blackpool victory in their npower Championship match at Selhurst Park.Blackpool went close inside the third minute when veteran striker Brett Ormerod hit a 12-yard shot which drew a fine parried save from Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.Darren Ambrose then fired over from distance for Crystal Palace before Baptiste opened the scoring four minutes before the break when he swept home a right-footed shot from six yards after connecting sweetly with Barry Ferguson's cross.In the 67th minute, veteran Blackpool striker Kevin Phillips produced a weak shot from 12 yards when he should have done better and Palace's Dean Moxey then hit the bar from distance.Murray then entered the action and soon had a header saved by Gilks before he equalised in the 79th minute. Moxey crossed from the left flank and Murray arrived to sweep the ball home right-footed.Blackpool midfielder Keith Southern and Murray then both went close from distance but neither side could find a winner.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Danny Hylton's 89th-minute winner sent 10-man West Ham crashing out of the Carling Cup and put League Two side Aldershot into the second round.The Hammers led through a curling shot from Junior Stanislas but had debutant Callum McNaughton sent off for a professional foul after the break.That changed the game and Luke Guttridge equalised from close range after Ruud Boffin denied Alex Rodman.Hylton snatched victory from 12 yards out after a goalmouth scramble.That gave Aldershot their first win in this competition since the club reformed in 1992 and returned to the Football League in 2008.Holdsworth considers Sam Allardyce his mentor after playing under him at Bolton for four yearsBut for the third time this season West Ham were left to rue conceding an important late goal at Upton Park.Hammers boss Sam Allardyce made nine changes from the team that were held at home by Leeds in the Championship on Sunday and initially his side struggled to settle.It took took a superb save from Boffin to deny Jake Taylor when he ran through but West Ham weathered the storm and took the lead with a strike of real quality from Stanislas.The Shots were given hope when McNaughton scythed down Hylton after 47 minutes.And Dean Holdsworth's side piled on the pressure before Guttridge pounced to level with 12 minutes to go, reacting quickly after Boffin blocked Rodman's shot.

With West Ham hanging on, Michael Rankine and Jermaine McGlashan went close to winning it for Aldershot before Hylton found the bottom corner with a low angled shot.

Matt Taylor came close to equalising in stoppage time but could only fire into the side netting after latching on to a flick.

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Two goals in four frenetic minutes by Lee Frecklington and Paul Taylor left The Lions wondering what might have been as Kenny Jackett's side surrendered a 2-0 lead to let Peterborough United secure a share of the spoils in a pulsating Den encounter.There was plenty of thrills and spills in this four-goal feast, yet for the second time this season Millwall let their grip on a seemingly match-winning position slip.It was a night of mixed emotions for Lions boss Jackett, who had some positives to take from this performance - namely midfielders Liam Trotter and Hamer Bouazza getting on the scoresheet, the oustanding contribution of Jimmy Abdou in the engineroom and the immense display of skipper Paul Robinson at the back.
But the manner in which The Lions took their foot off the gas and subsequently let a 2-0 lead slip will be of some concern and immense frustration.It's fair to say that Posh owed a huge debt of gratitude to keeper Paul Jones to even be in a position to claw their way back into the game, with the former Exeter City stopper making a string of top drawer saves.However, that should not take away from the fact that The Lions relaxed, enabling Darren Ferguson's side to haul their way back to level terms and secure what had seemed the most unlikely of points.
Jackett made a tactical switch to try and negate the attacking threat of Posh, bringing Jimmy Abdou into the team in a compact midfield alongside Trotter and Tam Mkandawire, with John Marquis dropping to the bench.
Darius Henderson was the focal point of a three-pronged Lions attack, flanked by the ever-willing James Henry and Bouazza, with the duo's pace and flair posing a consistent and effective threat to the visiting defence.
It took a while for The Lions to settle into their new formation and Posh created the first real chance after five minutes when midfielder Tommy Rowe fired narrowly over from around 14 yards.
Henry then saw his stinging 25-yard free-kick clawed away by keeper Jones, before Lions skipper Robinson produced an excellent block to deny striker David Ball from close range as he prepared to shoot.
Abdou's looping header from a deep Tony Craig left-wing cross dropped wide of the post and then George Boyd smacked a shot against the foot of the post after home keeper David Forde had fumbled Grant McCann's 17th-minute corner.
The two teams continued to trade scoring chances as Forde was then forced to turn Grant McCann's 30-yard drive round the post, before Lions striker Henderson saw a flicked header pushed away yet again by Jones at the other end.
Jones was called into action twice in as many minutes, thwarting Bouazza firstly from a tight angle and then diving low to his right to push another daisy-cutter from the Algerian international round the post.
Henry was denied by the Posh stopper after half an hour before Millwall finally found a way through on 32 minutes, Trotter sweeping home Henderson's cross from close range for his second goal in successive games.
Trotter went close to grabbing his - and Millwall's - second goal just before the break, latching onto Henderson's flick and volleying goalwards, only for that man Jones to athletically tip his effort away.
The Lions did grab their second goal though, and what a corker it was too, 10 minutes after the restart. Henderson was again the provider, slipping a delightfully weighted ball through to the former Watford man. He in turn shimmied his way into the area, before arrowing the ball into the bottom left corner with a clincial finish.
It looked to be game over at that stage with The Lions having the measure of Posh. Jackett's men were, however, in for a rude awakening.
Posh grabbed a goal out of nowhere with a superb finish from Frecklington, who flicked up Ryan Tunnicliffe's 72nd-minute pass and volleyed past Forde to halve the deficit.
The Lions could have restored their two-goal advantage three minutes later when Jones again came to the rescue, this time tipping Trotter's curling shot onto the post.
That added further belief in the visiting camp that they could, indeed, get something out of this game.
And just 60 seconds later that proved to be the case. Skipper Robinson appeared to be fouled 10 yards inside his own half, but play was waved on and the ball found its way to substitute Taylor who had time and space to fire a low drive beyond the desperate reach of keeper Forde - to the despair of The Den faithful.
Trotter had a golden opportunity to tip the balance back Millwall's way when he picked up Bouazza's deflected shot, but failed to connect cleanly and Jones gathered with ease.
The introduction of John Marquis and Josh McQuoid coupled with five minutes of injury-time failed to conjure up a third, match-winning goal for the home side, who have no time to dwell on what might have been with a trip to league leaders Southampton looming on the horizon this Saturday.

City suffered their second home defeat in as many games this season as Nicky Maynard inspired Bristol City to their first win of the campaign.Maynard scored twice, either side of a David Nugent equaliser, to give the Robins victory King Power Stadium, having also missed a penalty during a frustrating first half for Sven-Goran Eriksson's Foxes.The former Crewe striker ultimately proved the difference between the two sides - making the most of two defensive errors to settle an even contest and leave City searching for form ahead of their weekend trip to local rivals Nottingham Forest.Showing five changes from the weekend, including a debut for Sean St. Ledger in place of skipper Matt Mills, City started well on Wednesday night - Nugent and captain Richie Wellens combining to release Lloyd Dyer down the right and his cross cut out just before it reached Paul Gallagher.It was the sort of the purposeful start the home fans were looking for, but when Sol Bamba pulled a long ball down on his chest and lost out to Jamal Campbell-Ryce on the edge of his own box, Gelson Fernandes' foul afforded the visitors their first sight of goal.Five minutes on the clock and Maynard made no mistake; fizzing a 20-yard drive in off the inside of the post from Neil Kilkenny's touch.But as the home side's tails started to lift, an error from St. Ledger cost them dearly.Bristol City's pressing game had been impressive all night - Maynard and Kilkenny particularly quick to close down space - and Maynard finally got his reward on 66 minutes.Bearing down on St. Ledger 10 yards inside the Foxes' half, Maynard stole possession before raiding away at pace.Bamba raced across to cover, but Maynard saw him coming, slipping past the Ivorian before slotting past Schmeichel with confidence.Knowing they would have to come back once more, City set about the task well and nearly found an equaliser on 77 minutes - King working his way into the box down the left before chipping into the box, where Gerken flicked the ball against the fortunate Lewin Nyatanga, who unwittingly found the arms of his goalkeeper.

Millen's visitors should have closed the game out in the final stages - substitutes Kalifa Cisse and Ryan Taylor both wasting glorious openings at the death.

But it was City that nearly produced the late drama when St. Ledger's high ball into the box was spilled by Gerkan under pressure from Neil Danns, and Bamba failed to find the unguarded target under pressure from Nyatanga.

Albion produced a stellar away-day performance to crush Cardiff City - who boasted a 100 per cent record in league and cup going into the game - and register the club's first win in the Welsh principality since 1984.
After an excellent 1-0 win at Portsmouth on Saturday, Albion stepped up a gear in Wales, with arguably their best performance of the Poyet era. Two goals from Ashley Barnes - either side of half-time - and another from debutant Will Hoskins put Albion in total command, before a late consolation penalty from Peter Whittingham.The Seagulls started in the same confident style that saw them triumph at Portsmouth on Saturday - with the midfield four of Liam Bridcutt, Gary Dicker, Romain Vincelot and Matt Sparrow showing great composure from the off and no fear of passing the ball against one of the top Championship sides in recent seasons.Vincelot and Barnes both saw marginal offside decisions go against them. Vincelot's effort drew a superb save from David Marshall, while Barnes thought he had sprung the home side's trap as he lashed a stunning volleyed effort into the net.Cardiff turned up the heat after the half-hour mark as the lively Robert Earnshaw, Kenny Miller and Craig Conway all tested Casper Ankergren in quick succession. Earnshaw and Miller tried their luck from distance, but it was the former Dundee United man Conway who went closest.Having popped up in space inside Albion's area, he was denied by the big Dane spreading himself and making a superb save. It was a vital stop from Albion's keeper to keep the scores level, as the Bluebirds threatened to take control.

However, Albion took the lead a few minutes later after a terrible error by home right-back Kevin McNaughton; his loose cross-field pass was intercepted by Barnes, who unleashed a ferocious drive which nestled in the bottom left corner of the net, leaving Marshall with no chance.

It was the perfect tonic for Albion, scoring just before half-time and they nearly doubled their lead early in the second half thanks to a great piece of opportunism from Craig Mackail-Smith. The hardworking Albion striker robbed Anthony Gerrard just inside his own half, played a clever one-two with Barnes, before charging into the box and firing a shot against Marshall's right-hand post.

Mackail-Smith's industry gave Barnes the chance for his second second. The former Peterborough man showed great energy to make up ground on Mark Hudson and nick the ball off the Cardiff man. He then turned to cut inside the home defender, and after Hudson clipped the Albion striker's heels Referee Keith Stroud had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Barnes stepped up to send Marshall the wrong way for 2-0.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay immediately brought on French striker Rudy Gestede in place of Earnshaw, who for all his running, had caused Albion few real problems. Gus Poyet sent on Alan Navarro and Hoskins in place of Sparrow and Vincelot. Hoskins wasted little time in opening his Albion account, latching onto Mackail-Smith's pass and slotting cleverly past Marshall.

Cardiff grabbed a consolation in the 90th minute, after referee Stroud awarded a second penalty, for what looked a soft decision against captain fantastic Gordon Greer. He was adjudged to have pushed his fellow Scot Miller. Whittingham stepped up to score, but that did little to take the gloss off a stunning display in South Wales.

Blackpool fell to their first defeat of the campaign as they were beaten 1-0 by Nigel Clough's Derby County.Despite dominating possession for much of the game the Seasiders couldn't find a way past the resilient Rams.Stephen Crainey had Blackpool's best opportunity of the first-half when his cross-shot was deflected narrowly over the bar, before the visitors took the lead through a second-half strike from Craig Bryson.The hosts continued to push for a leveller, with Taylor-Fletcher hitting the post late on, but Derby held on to end the Tangerines' 100% record and retain their own perfect start.It was a meeting of two teams with identical records at Bloomfield Road as the pair went head-to-head having both taken six points from their opening two Championship fixtures.Ian Holloway had stressed the importance of experience prior to the encounter and with that in mind there was one change to the side from the weekend, with Matt Hill replacing Craig Cathcart at the heart of the back four.Given the close proximity between the sides in the table, it was little wonder that the opening 45 minutes resembled a game of chess, with Blackpool dominating possession and the visitors happy to play on the counter-attack.Chances were few and far between as Holloway's side attempted to crack the Derby code, but Taylor-Fletcher's early cross along the six-yard box at least had the visitors' defence worried.Jamie Ward fizzed a carbon-copy effort across the face of Matt Gilks' goal on eight minutes, but the Tangerine Army had to wait until the 21st to witness the first effort of note, as Taylor-Fletcher drew a decent save from Frank Fielding with a 20-yard drive.A lack of pace in the Blackpool attack was telling but with Stephen Crainey an ever-willing runner down the left-hand side, the Scotsman very nearly gave his side the lead right on half-time.Taylor-Fletcher and Kevin Phillips combined well and the latter slid Crainey in on goal, but his drilled cross was deflected over the bar by a brilliant block from Bryson - when a shot was perhaps the better option.

The second-half continued in similar vein - Kevin Phillips was hungry to add to his weekend brace and he very nearly did when Taylor-Fletcher laid the ball into his path after a mazy run, but his drilled, 20-yard shot flew wide.Holloway sent on Billy Clarke in place of the tireless Brett Ormerod, in an attempt to break the stalemate.But, no sooner had the change been made and the Seasiders were a goal behind against the run of play.Rams striker Steven Davies lined up a free-kick 25 yards from goal, but while Gilks did well to palm his powerful effort away, Bryson reacted quickest to slot the rebound into the far corner.

The lead was flattering for a Derby side who had shown little ambition in the final third and it was the home side who continued to seize the initiative, with Taylor-Fletcher hitting the post with a shot from just inside the box after another winding run.

Elliot Grandin then made way for Tom Ince for the youngster's first taste of league action in tangerine and his impact gave the Tangerines a new dimension in attack.

A one-two with Clarke set the 19-year-old free inside the box on 80 minutes, but just as he looked to pull the trigger Taylor-Fletcher took the ball off his toes and denied him of a golden opportunity to level.

Craig Sutherland replaced Matt Hill late on as Holloway threw caution to the wind, but still they couldn't find a way past Clough's resilient side.

Portsmouth are on the verge of adding to their thin squad with the signing of Norwegian international winger Erik Huseklepp.Huseklepp, 26, is set to sign a three-and-a-half year deal at Fratton park in a deal that will cost the club an estimated £1.5 million.The player spent last season in the Italian Serie A with Bari, where he made 14 appearences, scoring two times in the process.The move will provide Pompey fans with more reason for optimism, with boss Steve Cotterill appearing to be backed by the new owners in spending money on the squad.
"All is not yet set but the clubs have agreed (a transfer) and I will make it over to England for a medical test within a short while," The winger told Bergens Tidende.
Speaking of his new club, Huseklepp added: "The club is in a rebuilding phase and that is something I want to be part of. In the long run the club wants to get back to the Premier League and that is of course exciting."

Leeds finally recorded their first league win of the campaign with an impressive performance against Hull.Ross McCormack headed United into the lead before Tom Lees put through his own net after inadvertantly converting Robbie Brady's cross.Lees made amends when he was on hand to poke in after Ramon Nunez's ball from a corner was spilled by Peter Gulacsi.Robert Snodgrass added a third with a 25-yard free-kick before Nunez made it 4-1 with a precise finish.The win places Leeds in 13th while Hull are in 18th spot.Scotland winger Snodgrass had an excellent game and went close when he forced Gulacsi to scramble at his near post.Hull then failed to deal with a Snodgrass cross but Nunez sent a weak shot wide before new signing Andy Keogh cut inside and drilled an effort over the bar.

The visitors had few clear-cut chances in the match. Substitute Aaron McLean had their best opportunity of the second half, but his header at the back post was comfortably saved by Andy Lonergan.

Crystal Palace struck twice in injury time to secure a dramatic victory over Coventry at Selhurst Park.
The Sky Blues, who are still searching for their first point of the season, grabbed the lead in 49th minute through Lukas Jutkiewicz.But Palace pulled level when Sean Scannell turned in a rebound after Wilfried Zaha's shot was saved.And in the fifth minute of injury time, Jermaine Easter hit his first of the season to steal all three points.In a dour opening 45 minutes, neither side had a shot on target and Coventry striker Gary McSheffrey was forced off with an injury in the 19th minute.Jutkiewicz broke the deadlock early the second half when Cyrus Christie's cross ricocheted off Palace defender Peter Ramage for the former Everton man to challenge Julian Speroni in the air, and the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line.Palace almost hit back immediately but Scannell was denied by Coventry keeper Joe Murphy and substitute Zaha dragged a shot from the edge of the area wide.Roy O'Donovan and Paddy McCarthy saw efforts fly over the crossbar for the home side before Jutkiewicz was twice denied a second by saves from Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Palace poured forward in search of the equaliser and Zaha was again just off target with a thumping drive.
But their luck changed in the final minute when Zaha's 20-yard shot was kept out by Murphy but Scannell pounced on to the bouncing rebound to send a spectacular scissor kick into the bottom corner.Then in the fifth minute of time added on Easter latched on to another parry from Murphy, again from a Zaha effort, and converted from close range to complete an unlikely turnaround.

Middlesbrough fought back from an early own goal to snatch a win at Barnsley.Barnsley, still looking for their first win of the campaign, were gifted a fifth-minute lead when Stephen McManus put into his own net.
But Scott McDonald headed home Barry Robson's corner in the 11th minute before the latter tapped home two minutes later.Marvin Emnes, with his sixth goal in four games this season, completed the scoring on the stroke of half-time.Barnsley's first goal of the season came from an unexpected source when David Perkins' cross was stabbed into his own net by McManus under pressure.The visitors responded almost immediately, McDonald rising unmarked to glance home Robson's inswinging corner.McDonald then tore apart the home defence and found Robson who clipped the ball home to put the visitors ahead with 13 minutes on the clock.

Barnsley striker Danny Haynes beat the offside trap as the home side looked to get back on level terms, but his weak effort was kept out by Carl Ikeme.Robson was close to doubling his tally moments later but his curling free-kick drifted just wide.Emnes then added a third for Middlesbrough two minutes before the break when he latched on to McDonald's pass and steered the ball under Luke Steele.
Julio Arca and McDonald were denied by Steele as Boro continued to press after the restart, before Emnes wasted the best chance of the second half when he failed to steal the ball from Steele's feet in a moment of confusion.

Defender Chris Gunter scored the only goal of the game as Nottingham Forest beat Doncaster to record their first league win under Steve McClaren.The Reds had failed to score in their first two Championship matches and offered little by way of an attacking threat at the Keepmoat Stadium.However, Gunter's 31st-minute header proved enough.The result was harsh on Sean O'Driscoll's men, who were the better side for large periods.Former Blackburn striker Matt Derbyshire made his Forest debut as manager McClaren made four changes from Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Millwall.Ishmael Miller, who arrived from West Bromwich Albion this week for an initial fee of £1.2million, had to settle for a place on the bench, along with highly-rated midfielder Lewis McGugan.Rovers made a bright start with James Coppinger and Kyle Bennett going close in the opening four minutes, the latter's 20-yard effort appearing to be tipped over the crossbar by Forest goalkeeper Lee Camp but referee Andy Woolmer gave a goal kick.Wes Morgan hooked wide from an Andy Reid free-kick at the other end but it was Doncaster who enjoyed the bulk of possession, with midfield trio John Oster, Simon Gillett and Giles Barnes linking well.But Forest made the breakthrough against the run of play moments after Derbyshire had seen a penalty appeal turned down when Gunter nodded home Brendan Moloney's deep cross.Camp showed good agility to palm away an effort from Coppinger that looked destined for the corner and ensure the visitors headed into the interval with their lead intact.

Gillett had a chance to equalise early in the second half when he was picked out at the far post by Barnes, but the former Southampton man failed to connect cleanly with his volley and Forest clung on for the victory.

Southampton made it three wins from three league matches following a seven-goal thriller at Ipswich.Rickie Lambert opened the scoring with a 12-yard finish and then curled his second into the bottom corner.
David Connolly converted Guly Do Prado's square ball to make it 3-0 before Town reduced the arrears thanks to strikes from Keith Andrews and substitute Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.The pacy Adam Lallana ended the comeback with two low efforts late on.Nigel Adkins's Saints have now scored nine goals in three matches and have won their last nine matches stretching back to last season.The visitors created other chances, with Lallana dragging his shot wide inside the first four minutes while Guly was also fractions off target with a fierce strike.Ipswich also had more opportunities to score. Midfielder Lee Bowyer picked up a lofted ball before firing a shot that was saved by former Town stopper Kelvin Davis.Aaron Cresswell came close to opening his Ipswich account but sent his left-footed strike wide.

Ipswich are 16th having lost two and won one of their three league fixtures.

Dave Kitson’s close-range strike was the difference as Pompey chalked up their first win of the new Championship season with a 1-0 success over Reading.The former Reading striker netted against his old club as he struck a smart low volley home from Liam Lawrence’s corner early in the second half of a cracking game at Fratton Park.The Blues had the better of the first half as Greg Halford rattled the bar with a shot from the edge of the box that, while Kitson and David Norris both missed glaring opportunities.But Reading had their moments as well as Jimmy Kebe’s diving header clattered the outside of Jamie Ashdown’s goal.
In an entertaining contest, Pompey again looked threatening after the break and got their reward when Kitson found himself unmarked in the box to fire home.And the return of Benjani as a 75th-minute substitute so nearly created the killer second goal as his cross found Luke Varney, only for the forward’s shot to clip the outside of the post.

But Pompey played out time without too much fuss as the clock ticked down with Jason Pearce outstanding in central defence on his debut to hang on to a vital three points to kick-start their campaign.

Carlton Cole and Scott Parker were on target to help West Ham to victory at Watford and make it back-to-back wins in the Championship.Sam Allardyce gave Cole his first start of the season and the striker, who is still expected to leave before the end of the month, grabbed his first goal since February.England midfielder Parker, another player whose future remains uncertain, put the seal on a convincing display late on.The unlikely figures of defenders James Tomkins and Joey O'Brien had put West Ham two up at half-time.
The relegated Hammers won only two away games all last season, but they have matched that tally after just two road trips this term.They beat Doncaster with a fifth-minute goal on Saturday, and opened their account even earlier at Vicarage Road.

Matt Taylor's free-kick was turned behind at full stretch by Hornets goalkeeper Scott Loach, and when Taylor swung in the corner Tomkins planted a firm header inside the far post after two minutes.Former Bolton midfielder Taylor was inches away from doubling the lead when he curled a free-kick over the wall and inches wide.But Watford looked dangerous themselves early on and Marvin Sordell's turn and shot forced a fine save from Hammers keeper Robert Green.Hornets skipper John Eustace then shot straight at Green from close range following a corner, and Chris Iwelumo put the rebound over the top.West Ham should have gone further ahead on the half hour when Mark Noble played Taylor's corner back across goal and centre-half Winston Reid, from all of three yards out, poked the ball wide.

The visitors got stronger as the first half drew to a close strongly with Noble fizzing a cross narrowly out of the reach of Kevin Nolan, Jack Collison heading Parker's cross over and Loach denying Cole.And their pressure told in added time when O'Brien, another of Allardyce's ex-Bolton brigade, burst forward from the halfway line, reached the penalty area and drilled a low shot across Loach and into the far corner.Watford are still looking for their first win of the season, but there was no way back for the hosts after Cole tucked in number three in the 70th minute.Left-back Herita Illunga crossed and Cole was on hand to sweep the ball past Loach.

Parker wrapped up the victory with a classy finish from 20 yards in stoppage time as the duo sent a timely reminder to one or two top-flight clubs with the transfer window closing soon.

Monday, 15 August 2011

Zavon Hines is set to sign for Championship club Burnley after failing to land the contract he wanted at West Ham, according to reports.The 22-year-old striker has been out of contract at the club since the end of last season and looked certain to leave some months ago.However at the beginning of last month it looked as if the two parties were edging towards a deal when Hines told his followers on Twitter that he hoped to remain at West Ham and was hopeful of signing a new deal.But despite being involved in the latter stages of the club's pre-season talks fell through, and the former England under-21 is now said to be set to join West Ham's Championship rivals Burnley for a nominal fee.Hines, who was named Young Player of the Year by KUMB.com readers at the end of the 2009/10 season made his first team debut under Alan Curbishley in West Ham's 4-1 Carling Cup defeat of Macclesfield - a game in which he also scored.Having failed to make any further appearances for the first team that season he played 15 times in 2009/10, making his first start for the club in the 1-0 defeat at Wigan in September. However his season ended abruptly in December 2009 when he was forced to endure surgery to fix a long standing knee problem - an injury that kept him out until November the following year.Sporadic appearances under Avram Grant despite being fully fit led to Hines criticising the manager via his Twitter feed back in May, whilst the arrival of Sam Allardyce gave hope that his career at the Boleyn could be salvaged.

However that hope was short lived and his departure is expected to be confirmed by both clubs shortly.

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Ishmael Miller from West Bromwich Albion.The Reds have paid an initial £1.2million for the striker, who has signed a three-year City Ground contract.Manager Steve McClaren said: "Ishmael is still a young player but has loads of experience and a lot to prove."He wants to play, which is why he's coming to Forest."He's the type of player we want at the club, he's young and ambitious and fits the criteria perfectly."Miller launched his career with his home town club Manchester City and made 17 Premier League appearances, scoring one goal, before joining West Brom on loan.After a successful six-month spell at The Hawthorns - he scored on his debut and won his first England Under 21 cap during that time - he completed a permanent switch in January 2008.He has made more than 60 league appearances for The Baggies and has scored 14 goals.The 24 year old had a five-month loan spell with Queens Park Rangers in the second half of last season and helped Neil Warnock's men land the Championship title.

Sunday, 14 August 2011

Blackpool were in the fourth tier when they last secured back-to-back victories at the beginning of a league campaign in 1991.It's only taken a rollercoaster 20 years for that statistic to finally be rewritten as Kevin Phillips notched his first goals in tangerine colours to put the Seasiders' amongst the early promotion pack in the Championship.The evergreen 38-year-old proved he could be an integral part of a team seeking top-flight redemption by firing two poacher's efforts either side of half time in a frenetic encounter against newly-promoted Peterborough United.The Seasiders put in a solid performance at a sunsoaked Bloomfield Road, but had to endure a late rally from the visitors to seal the points after summer transfer target George Boyd struck what proved to be a mere consolation.Ian Holloway elected to retain the same starting line-up that won at Hull nine days earlier, and his side made a positive start when Phillips' close-range header drew Paul Jones into a fine save before Elliot Grandin rattled the post from the resulting loose ball.Peterborough weathered the early storm though and had chances of their own with Lee Frecklington firstly seeing his 25-yard effort cleared off the line by Keith Southern.Seasiders stopper Matt Gilks - who shook off an injury to start - then came to the rescue to deny both Lee Tomlin and David Ball one-on-one before making a fine save from Ryan Bennett's header.

Saturday, 13 August 2011

Keith Fahey’s lone strike 18 minutes from time earned Birmingham their first win of the season.The Republic of Ireland smashed home substitute Adam Rooney’s low cross, just seconds after the striker had struck the post with a well-placed header.The goal also owed much to manager Chris Hughton’s own decision-making, as it came just three minutes after Rooney replaced Chris Wood up front.The Blues boss only made one change from last Saturday’s opening day defeat to Derby County, with Albion loanee Wood handed his first start for Blues at Rooney’s expense, and it paid off with his first win in charge.Hughton kept faith with the same 4-5-1 formation Blues started with at Pride Park.On the bench, new signing Jonathan Spector replaced Nathan Redmond while Scott Dann was named as a substitute for the second game running.Notable absences for Blues were Marlon King, Nikola Zigic and Cameron Jerome all still injured.For the visitors, former Blues favourite Gary McSheffrey made the starting line-up for Coventry and received a warm reception in appreciation for his four year stint at St Andrew’s from 2006 to 2010.Blues created a good chance just two minutes in, when Burke and Carr combined well down the right wing.Carr’s cross was tucked into Morgaro Gomis’ path by Wood and only a last ditch tackle prevented him opening the scoring from deep inside the box.At the other end, Blues had Curtis Davies to thank for heroically blocking Lukas Jutkiewicz’s effort, after the ball had fallen invitingly from Sammy Clingan’s right wing corner.Blues dominated the early possession but Jutkiewicz missed a golden opportunity with 19 minutes gone, firing wide of the left hand post.Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill then showed his agility to tip away Sammy Clingan’s well-struck long-range free-kick, which appeared to be creeping into the bottom right hand corner, half an hour in.McSheffrey was next to test Myhill from distance but the Wales international acrobatically turned the winger’s 30-yard effort behind for a corner five minutes before the break.Fahey won a corner in stoppage time when his own long-range effort was deflected wide by Clingan, but neither side could feel aggrieved by the blank score sheet at half time.But Blues improved after the break and Beausejour fired wide from Stephen Carr’s cross, five minutes after the re-start.Wood should have opened the scoring barely 90 seconds later, but could only Beausejour’s low left-wing cross over the bar from less than six yards out.Clingan did well to block Burke’s effort from Carr’s cutback and Gomis forced a corner, when his 25-yard drive was turned behind from distance by Murphy, as the home side increased the pressure.Wood then miscued Gomis’ cutback, albeit under pressure, with just over 25 minutes remaining, but McSheffrey fizzed a curling drive just over at the other end of the pitch.
With the game headed for a stalemate, Rooney replaced Wood and it worked almost immediately.Rooney headed Ridgewell’s deep cross against the post, but managed to turn the rebound into Fahey’s path for the opening goal 18 minutes from time.The Irishman then pulled a poor attempt well wide 12 minutes from time, as Blues pushed forward in a bid to rubber stamp victory.Steven Caldwell nodded Carr’s cross over the bat with 10 minutes remaining, after McSheffrey’s foul on the edge of the box.Blues suffered a late scare when Jutkiewicz headed over from a good position with two minutes left from Clingan’s corner, but they held on for a vital win.

Matty Fryatt’s second half goal was enough to give Hull City a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Town had the better of a first period in which ex-Hull defender Damien Delaney had hit the bar, but the Tigers improved after the break with Fryatt making the most of a defensive lapse with 14 minutes remaining.
Town boss Paul Jewell left new signing Keith Andrews, a former Hull player, on the bench, choosing to stick with last week’s side which beat Bristol City 3-0, with the exception of Tommy Smith replacing Ívar Ingimarsson, who is out with a thigh injury, on the right side of central defence.The Blues had the better of the early exchanges but with neither side particularly threatening. On nine Smith diverted a corner over under pressure after the second of two Town corners from the right.Former Blues loanee Liam Rosenior created an opportunity for Matty Fryatt on the edge of the area on 12 but the ex-Leicester man somehow managed miskick the ball in completely the opposite direction.An impressive Mark Kennedy run on 14 ended with the former Republic of Ireland international laying the ball across the six-yard box from the right but no one was there to add the final touch.After Tigers midfielder Paul McKenna had been lucky to avoid a yellow card for clattering into Lee Bowyer after the ball had gone, the Blues went close to going in front. Bowyer sent in a deep cross from the right and Martin just failed to get a touch at the far post, the winger, who had already swapped flanks from right to left, possibly not seeing the ball as it appeared from behind Rosenior at pace.
Left-back Aaron Cresswell went close to an extraordinary first goal for the Blues on 23. Spotting keeper Peter Gulacsi off his line, the former Tranmere man unleashed a dipping effort from 45 yards on the left, the ball nestling in the sidenetting. Moments later, Martin had a go from around half the distance, but went narrowly over.On 28 Hull’s left-sided on-loan Manchester United midfielder Robbie Brady broke through the middle and hit a low shot which Stockdale stopped without fuss.A minute later, Bowyer forced Gulacsi into a sharp save down to his left just inside the post after the former Leeds man had been found on the edge of the box by Cresswell. From the corner, Delaney headed wide.The former Hull City defender, who had been a doubt with an ankle injury, headed over again on 31, then Smith went even closer from another corner soon after with the Blues continuing to look the more threatening side.Hull were inches from a goal in the 38th minute when Corry Evans flicked on Tom Cairney’s corner on the right and Fryatt scuffed wide at the far post.Kennedy made another strong run into the box in the 43rd minute, his stabbed shot deflecting off Hull skipper Jack Hobbs and wrongfooting Gulacsi, who did well to get back across to save down to his right.
A minute later, from what was Town’s seventh corner, Delaney headed off the bar and over. The Blues were continuing to have the better of it as the game moved into injury time, a Martin cross flying across the area and somehow managing to avoid everyone.Blues boss Paul Jewell will have been happy enough with the first half display, the Blues having been on top against a hardly adventurous Hull side and creating a number of opportunities, both from longer distances via Cresswell and Martin, and Delaney and Smith’s closer efforts from corners. Hull had really only had the one opportunity when Fryatt failed to get enough on the near post corner.

David Stockdale made the first save of the second half, coming out to block Fryatt as he closed in on goal from the right.

A minute later, Robert Koren, who scored the goal which was the difference between the two sides at the KC Stadium last season, hit a 25-yard strike which Stockdale did well to push behind for a corner to his left. Soon after, a Town corner was semi-cleared to Bowyer on the edge of the area but his shot looped over.

Hull had started the second half the stronger side with the Blues unable to keep hold of the ball and bring the likes of Martin, Emmanuel-Thomas and Chopra into the game.

On 63 Hobbs headed Cairney’s freekick from just inside the Town half straight at Stockdale when if it had been a foot either side, the Tigers captain would have scored.

New loanee from Blackburn Keith Andrews replaced Mark Kennedy on 65 to make his debut for the Blues. Moments later Koren shot straight at Stockdale, prior to Emmanuel-Thomas sending a low ball into the six-yard box but too close to Gulacsi.

The visitors went ahead in the 76th minute when the Blues were caught short at the back after Delaney and Cresswell pushed forward before Martin lost the ball on the edge of the Hull area. Hobbs played a long clearance towards Fryatt, who was left with only Smith to beat, which he did before slipping the ball past Stockdale.

Blues boss Jewell immediately switched to 4-4-2 with Nathan Ellington taking over from Bowyer and joining Chopra up front. Soon after, Town weren’t far away from an equaliser when Edwards crossed from the left and Martin headed goalwards but without the necessary power to beat Gulacsi.

On 86 Cairney was booked for an ugly challenge on Carson but Cresswell ‘s freekick flew straight into Gulacsi’s arms. Town were huffing and puffing but failing to create anything of note in front of goal.

As the game moved into injury time, Cresswell unleashed a fearsome 25-yarder which only just flew over.

Smith headed over from a corner, but the Blues weren’t really looking like getting back on terms and Gulacsi wasn’t seriously tested again before referee Danny McDrmid blew his whistle.

A disappointing second half in which Hull had been on top from the off, keeping the ball far better than Town and taking one of the game’s rare serious chances when it came.

Town, who had created enough chances before the break to have won it, never got going after the break with Martin, Emmanuel-Thomas and Chopra peripheral figures for the most part.

Aside from another impressive display from Cresswell, there were few positives for Jewell to take from a second 45 minutes little different to Tuesday’s defeat to Northampton.

Thursday, 11 August 2011

Doncaster manager Brian O'Driscoll was left to rue his side's injury jinx after Ryan Mason became the latest member of his squad to suffer a serious blow.The midfielder, who is on loan from Tottenham, is facing several weeks out having been carried off with ankle ligament damage following a heavy challenge from Tranmere's John Welsh late in the Yorkshire side's 3-0 Carling Cup first-round victory.It came just three days after Rovers saw strikers Billy Sharp (ankle) and James Hayter (knee) both leave the Amex Stadium pitch on a stretcher in the club's 2-1 season-opening defeat at Brighton.Already out injured are James O'Connor, James Chambers, Martin Woods, Brian Stock, Adam Lockwood, Shelton Martis and Mark Wilson.O'Driscoll told BBC Radio Sheffield the extent of Mason's injury, saying: "He's damaged his ankle ligaments, it's non-weight-bearing so he's another one to leave the ground on crutches."We'll have to assess him in a couple of days, he's a Tottenham player so he'll have to go back for them to have a look at him but it's going to be weeks I think rather than days. Someone said we've run over a cat, I think we've run over a litter of black cats."

Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Ryan Lowe struck twice in the final 15 minutes to sink Coventry and send Bury into the Carling Cup second round with a 3-1 win.The Sky Blues led in the 26th minute when David Bell crossed from the right flank and Roy O'Donovan headed home from six yards.Bury lost midfielder Steven Schumacher to injury in the 31st minute but they were level seven minutes later when Andy Bishop latched onto a pass from Lowe and fired home right-footed from six yards.O'Donovan almost grabbed his second in the 43rd minute when he tried his luck from distance and saw his effort well saved from Cameron Belford.Bury began the second with aggression and purpose and almost led six minutes after the restart. Mike Jones saw his 25-yard shot tipped over by Joe Murphy and then Bishop headed wastefully wide from just six yards out.However, Lowe put the Shakers ahead in the 75th minute when he rifled home Damien Mozika's pass and then added his second in the 88th minute when he again combined with Mozika to drill home from close range.

League two side Barnet pulled off one of the upsets of the night to snatch a 1-0 win at Fratton Park and dump Steve Cotterill’s side out of the competition.Lawrie Sanchez’s side only preserved their Football League status on the final day of the last campaign.But they were good value for the win as Sanchez grabbed the bragging rights over his old Wimbledon pal Cotterill.Bees captain Mark Hughes got the only goal of the game after 30 minutes after debut-making keeper Stephen Henderson had spilled a corner.The ball was worked out to the excellent Mark Marshall and Hughes was there to head home his cross.Izale McLeod had two one on ones saved and Clovis Kamdjo had a first-half header disallowed as the visitors ran the Blues ragged.It was much the same after the break with Pompey failing to find any rhythm.Greg Halford had a header from a corner midway through the half saved by Dean Brill.Sub Charlie Taylor later had two good chances to add a second, though, with Barnet deserving victors and Pompey left to lick their wounds.

Anthony Gardner is poised to join Championship outfit Birmingham.The defender is currently out of contract and available as a free agent.He severed ties with Hull City at the end of last season, having seen out the campaign on loan at Crystal Palace.The Eagles were keen to take him back to Selhurst Park, but discussions regarding a deal have come to nothing.Nottingham Forest were also linked with the former England international at one stage, but they too have been unable to reach an agreement.That has left the door open for Birmingham to make their move for the towering centre-half.Gardner is understood to be due in the Midlands on Tuesday for a medical, before putting the finishing touches to a deal with the Blues.
Birmingham boss Chris Hughton has been in the market for a centre-half after offloading Roger Johnson to Wolves and seeing speculation mount regarding the future of Scott Dann.

West Ham are keen to take George McCartney back to Upton Park after emerging as the main club interested in signing the out-of-favour defender.Sunderland are desperate to offload the high-earning left-back and are willing to let the 30-year-old leave either on a permanent deal or on loan.But so far the Hammers are the only club who have held talks with Sunderland over McCartney - one of four defenders the Black Cats are actively looking to sell.McCartney, who spent much of last season on loan at Leeds, has been unable to rediscover the form from his first spell at the Stadium of Light since returning to Sunderland in a £6.5million deal from West Ham three years ago.But new boss Sam Allardyce, a good friend of Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, is on the lookout for fresh recruits as he plots a return to the Premier League.The Hammers are short of options at left-back after former England man Wayne Bridge returned to Manchester City following last season’s loan spell at Upton Park.

Congo international Herita Ilunga was at fault for Cardiff’s last-gasp winner in West Ham’s opening day defeat on Sunday and Allardyce feels McCartney would offer a more assured presence.

McCartney was held in high esteem from his two-year stint in the East End and West Ham are one of the few clubs in the Championship who would be able to pay the former Northern Ireland international’s wages in full

Monday, 8 August 2011

West Bromwich Albion striker Ishmael Miller is in talks with Championship club Nottingham Forest about a permanent move. It is understood that the two clubs have agreed a fee but a deal has yet to be finalised with the player.
Albion said on their website that the 24-year-old forward was set to have a medical yesterday and meet Forest manager Steve McClaren. "Ishmael looks like he will go to Nottingham Forest," added Hodgson. "I think he is at the age where he needs to be a No 1 player, not a guy who hangs around and gets 20 minutes every now and then."
Miller made six substitute appearances in the Premier League last season before going on loan to QPR in January. He scored once in 14 appearances during his spell in West London to win his second Championship medal, having scored nine goals in Albion's successful 2007-08 second-tier title campaign.

West Bromwich Albion are poised to smash their transfer record to sign the Reading striker Shane Long, according to reports last night.Albion have held talks with Long's advisers over the weekend and are close to agreeing a fee of between £6m and £7m. It would surpass the £4.7m that the club paid Real Mallorca for the Spanish midfielder Borja Valero three years ago.West Bromwich's desire for a new striker is even more pressing as last season's leading scorer, Peter Odemwingie, is battling to overcome an ankle problem. Albion head coach Roy Hodgson is hoping to sign Long in time for Sunday's Premier League opener with Manchester United at the Hawthorns.It will be the first monetary outlay of the summer by Albion after Gareth McAuley, Zoltan Gera and Billy Jones arrived on Bosman free transfers and Ben Foster joined on loan from Birmingham City.Hodgson has been pursuing Long all summer after the 24-year-old scored 25 goals last season for Reading. West Ham last month failed with a bid thought to total around £7m with add-ons but Reading are believed to have told Long he can join a top-flight side if the price is right. Long has also been linked with Everton and Newcastle United.

Nottingham Forest have agreed an undisclosed fee to sign Dutch winger Wesley Verhoek from ADO Den Haag.The 24-year-old is due to arrive in Nottingham on Monday to have a medical and discuss personal terms.Reds manager Steve McClaren has been looking to sign a wide midfielder for several weeks and had also been tracking Wayne Routledge.McClaren first became aware of Verhoek when the former England boss was in charge of FC Twente in the Netherlands.The versatile winger was also a target for new Rangers manager Ally McCoist, who confirmed in July that a bid had been made to Den Haag.Forest have so far only completed three signings in the transfer window, bringing in Andy Reid, Jonathan Greening and George Boateng.

But West Brom striker Ishmael Miller is also poised to move to the City Ground.

Sunday, 7 August 2011

Arsenal are poised to complete the £12m signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton and also hope to confirm two further additions to their squad this week.Negotiations for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who will be 18 next Monday, have been protracted, with Southampton understood to have been holding out for a sell-on fee of around 40pc. However, further talks have resulted in an agreement being neared on a deal that would involve Arsenal paying around £7m up front and then a further £5m dependent on various performance-related add-ons.The deal should be completed this week, with personal terms expected to be a formality. After such a difficult summer, the signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain represents a considerable coup for Arsenal. Liverpool had an offer turned down in January, while Manchester United also asked to be kept informed of any deal's progress.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has always made it clear that his preference is for Arsenal and, although he is unlikely to feature prominently in the Premier or Champions League this season, he will be given his chance in the Carling Cup and potentially the FA Cup.

Reading came back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a dramatic draw against Millwall thanks to substitute Mathieu Manset.Millwall had taken a stranglehold of the game courtesy of headers from Darius Henderson and John Marquis.The visitors appeared set for victory before the intervention of Manset, who pulled a goal back for Reading with a long range strike after 86 minutes.He followed that up with an equalising header from Jimmy Kebe's cross.Reading spent the summer nursing the wounds of their play-off final defeat to Swansea at the end of last season and it seemed they had not fully recovered.Royals striker Shane Long has been linked with leaving the club and he was struggling to make an impact as both sides cancelled each other out in the first half.The stalemate lasted until shortly after the break when ex-Reading striker Henderson struck as he got on the end of a cross from the lively James Henry.The goal stirred Reading and Long into greater action and the striker controlled Jem Karacan's pass before rifling a shot against the crossbar.Noel Hunt also came close to levelling for Reading but was agonisingly inches away as he strived to meet a drilled Kebe cross before Millwall doubled their lead after 62 minutes.Henry and Liam Trotter combined to set up Marquis to provide the finishing touch.Manset was introduced by Reading boss Brian McDermott and the substitution proved an inspired move as he scored twice to rescue a point for the home side.

Barnsley frustrated new Nottingham Forest manager Steve McClaren to earn a deserved point in an uninspiring draw.Forest had plenty of possession but created little - particularly in a tedious opening half.
The Tykes threatened sporadically thanks to the pace of Danny Haynes and Craig Davies and the latter wasted their best chance when he headed wide.The hosts improved after the break, Lewis McGugan firing wide and seeing a shot blocked but Barnsley survived.And Barnsley - also playing under a new manager in Keith Hill - were good value for their point despite Forest's slight improvement after the interval.McClaren's men passed the ball well enough but, apart from a promising five-minute spell before the break and a couple of periods of pressure in the second half, they barely looked like scoring.Veteran midfielder George Boateng provided a decent platform sitting in the centre of the midfield and fellow new signings Jonathan Greening and Andy Reid showed glimpses of their undoubted guile and creativity.But David McGoldrick was almost anonymous up front and their lack of a cutting edge was glaringly obvious.Hill's side were happy to surrender possession and in Haynes and the excellent Davies, they had the attacking threat Forest so missed and the best two attacking players on the pitch.Davies should have headed them in front from Jacob Butterfield's inviting free-kick but was unable to get control of his effort and headed wastefully over from six yards.
Forest whose only half-decent strike towards goal before the interval saw McGugan shoot wildly over, had not scored on the opening day of the season since 2006 when Julian Bennett grabbed the winner against Bradford City.Thankfully, as uneventful a first half of Championship football likely to be seen during the entire season improved on the turnaround but the excitement was still relatively low-key.McGugan almost broke the deadlock but he bobbled his effort just wide of the left-hand post following some neat build-up play involving Paul Anderson on the right.At the other end Nathan Doyle looked certain to head the visitors in front when he burst into the penalty area but Chris Cohen did brilliantly to ease the midfielder out of the way and he failed to connect with a teasing centre.Davies also tested home goalkeeper Lee Camp in the second period after a good solo run but the visitors settled for a point as Forest pressed forward in the closing stages.

Debutant Luke Varney grabbed an injury-time equaliser to deny Middlesbrough.Varney struck two minutes into added time to salvage a point after substitute Christian Dailly's initial effort had been blocked.Boro led when Marvin Emnes fired in after good work from Scott McDonald but Pompey levelled after the break through a low 20-yard David Norris shot.Rhys Williams restored the home side's lead with a cool finish but Varney denied them victory on 92 minutes.Summer signing Varney's strike was cruel on a Boro side who created the better chances in the teeming rain but ultimately paid the price for some wasteful finishing.Barry Robson twice went close for Boro before Emnes, who this week signed a new three-year contract, showed great composure to put them ahead when he turned neatly and fired home McDonald's clever cut-back.
Emnes then shot just wide while McDonald, Justin Hoyte and Robson also spurned decent openings.
Pompey did threaten through Hayden Mullins just before the break but his shot sailed over the bar.However, they drew level after the interval when Norris beat Carl Ikeme with a powerful low shot from 20 yards.

Boro hit back when Williams collected a glorious through-ball from Nicky Bailey and finished coolly.

The goal once again led to a spell of home pressure, but the hosts failed to extend their lead and summer signing Varney made them pay.

The draw means Boro have now only won one of their last 11 opening league fixtures - a 2-1 home triumph over Tottenham in August 2008 - while Portsmouth avoided a fourth successive opening-day defeat.

Substitute Keith Treacy marked his Burnley debut by scoring a late equaliser to deny Sean Dyche a dream start to his Watford reign.Rookie boss Dyche, 40, saw his side race into a 2-0 lead through Craig Forsyth and Mark Yeates.But the Clarets recovered in the final 13 minutes as Charlie Austin pulled a goal back.
And fellow substitute Treacy - a summer signing from Preston - headed an 84th-minute equaliser.Burnley, led by new skipper Chris McCann in the heart of midfield, made a bright and purposeful start.They threatened in the fifth minute when midfielder Dean Marney hit a fierce right-foot shot which sailed just wide from 20 yards before Ross Wallace's effort drew a fine block from Adrian Mariappa.The hosts were firmly in the ascendancy and moments later Jay Rodriguez engineered the space to hit a shot from six yards which missed the target.But the pendulum swung in Watford's favour when Chris Iwelumo, a summer signing from Burnley, tried his luck from 18 yards with a shot that home debutant Ben Mee did well to block.And Watford opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when Marvin Sordell flighted a right wing cross for Forsyth to head into the bottom corner from six yards.Burnley made a tactical switch at half-time as Martin Paterson was replaced by Austin in a bid to boost the home attack.Yet Watford continued to defend strongly as Austin wasted a decent opening before Forsyth shot wide when well placed.Yeates was denied by a smart stop from home keeper Lee Grant on 54 minutes and his endeavour was rewarded in the 70th minute when he drilled home a right-footed shot from 12 yards.

However, the Clarets responded in the 77th minute when Austin fired home from six yards and, with six minutes remaining, Treacy nodded in a cross from fellow wideman Wallace to level the scores.

Peterborough came back from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace.The home side went behind when the ball broke to Sean Scannell in the Posh area and he cleverly flicked the ball over keeper Paul Jones for the opener.Peterborough increased the pressure for an equaliser after the break and were rewarded when Grant McCann drilled in a first-time shot low into the corner.David Ball came off the bench to grab the winner when he nodded in a Mark Little cross.Palace narrowly escaped relegation last season and their capitulation will prove a worry for manager Dougie Freedman.The Eagles started promisingly enough and almost scored straight from the kick-off when a shot from winger Scannell was forced around the post by keeper Jones.McCann responded for Peterborough and his long range shot was tipped over the bar by Julian Speroni before Scannell gave Palace the lead.Defender Peter Ramage kept the visitors ahead when he blocked a fierce drive from Ball on the goal-line but Palace failed to keep their hosts at bay for much longer.

Lee Tomlin played a free-kick into the path of McCann and he powered in a shot before Ball added a second for Posh to secure victory.

Southampton made the ideal start to their return to the Championship with an emphatic home win over Leeds.Nigel Adkins' side were the more fluent attacking force throughout and struck twice in an entertaining first half.Dean Hammond fired home a long range effort to give them the lead, before Adam Lallana doubled it with a neat, curling finish from inside the area.The win was sealed by a third from David Connolly, but Max Gradel scored a late consolation penalty for Leeds.The result continues Southampton's fine form from last season, which saw them gain promotion from League One.For Leeds though it is an extremely poor start, following what was an impressive campaign last term, in which they just missed out on a play-off place.The home side made most of the early running at St Mary's, but it was Leeds who had the first clear sight of goal when Jonny Howson found space to strike at goal from inside the area. However, his shot was straight at home keeper Kelvin Davis, who blocked.A minute later, the visitors were behind when Hammond was allowed to charge to within shooting distance and curl a shot past the diving Andy Lonergan from 22 yards.Both teams sought to push forward, but it was Southampton who looked the more dangerous and they extended their lead in the 25th minute.

Rickie Lambert found Lallana on the right and he cut inside in the area before curling a shot into the far corner.

The midfielder could have added a third for the home team when Guly Do Prado's cross found him in the box with only Lonergan to beat from six yards, but the keeper blocked superbly.

Leeds began the second half with intent, seeking to gain a foothold in the match, but instead they soon conceded a decisive third goal.

Connolly found Lallana wide left before collecting the midfielder's return pass and slotting into the far corner of the goal from the edge of the area.

Leeds boss Simon Grayson introduced Billy Paynter and the striker was given a superb chance to give his side a lifeline when he was put clear on goal by Adam Clayton, but he dwelt on his shot and Davis was able to save.

In stoppage time, United did register on the scoreline when Aaron Martin was adjudged to have handled in the area and Gradel fired in the resulting spot kick.

Birmingham's bid to secure an immediate return to the Barclays Premier League made a stuttering start as they slipped to an opening-day npower Championship defeat at Derby.Chris Hughton's men had gone in front through defender Curtis Davies' header at Pride Park but were quickly pegged back by Jason Shackell's equaliser.Nigel Clough's side then capitalised on their momentum as Steve Davies fired them in front before the break and the hosts held on for three points against an unfamiliar Birmingham side who created plenty of chances but are clearly yet to really gel.
Hughton's side are bidding for a quick return to the top flight this season but have been weakened by a player exodus this summer which has seen the likes of Craig Gardner, Sebastian Larsson, Barry Ferguson, Roger Johnson and Ben Foster all leave.Five of the visitors' starting XI were new faces with former Inverness striker Adam Rooney on his own up front. Derby had plenty of new recruits involved too, among them Frankie Fielding, in goal, as well as Jamie Ward, Shackell, Kevin Kilbane and Craig Bryson.Derby started well and after Lee Croft came close in the first minute, settled into the game nicely.Birmingham had a bit more going forward, though, and at the other end Keith Fahey headed wide wastefully from Chris Burke's cross while Jordon Mutch rattled the bar with a header from Jean Beausejour's cross.

The opening goal came in the 19th minute through Davies, as the former Aston Villa centre-half leapt to head home from Mutch's corner.

A fine finish from Gary Taylor-Fletcher secured Blackpool victory over Hull in the opening match of the Championship season at the KC Stadium.The Seasiders, relegated from the Premier League last season, were more than matched by Hull through the match.Matty Fryatt wasted two fine chances for the hosts when clean through while Tom Cairney hit the bar.But Taylor-Fletcher lashed home a half-volley from Keith Southern's chip and his side survived several late scares.Blackpool dropped out of the Premier League in May after finishing 19th, while Hull were relegated from the top flight 12 months earlier, and the teams were well-matched.The hosts enjoyed the best of the opening quarter of the match as Cairney crashed a free-kick against the woodwork and Robert Brady dragged a shot wide.But after a slow start, Blackpool managed to assert their passing game and created the better of the chances before the break.First a cross from Kevin Phillips tempted Peter Gulacsi from his line and the goalkeeper was far from convincing as Elliot Grandin almost hunted down a loose ball.Then Phillips, who left Birmingham when his contract expired at the end of last season, rattled the post with a cleanly struck effort from the edge of the box.Hull suffered a setback as debutant Dele Adebola was forced off in the first minute of the second half, but the Tigers could have taken the lead when Fryatt burst through on goal.He was denied however as Alex Baptiste chased back and timed his tackle to perfection to rob the former Leicester striker.Fryatt and substitute Nick Barmby then squandered clear openings as the Seasiders defence disintegrated in front of them.But Taylor-Fletcher proved more clincial as he rifled an awkwardly bouncing ball into the top corner before Jay Simpson flicked Hull's last chance over the bar.Blackpool manager Ian Holloway told Sky Sports: "I want to prove that it's not just the players we've lost that were good. I want these lads to shine again and for me they did in this very tough fixture."I'm delighted for the lads, we've had a tough few weeks and it's always about getting the game started. We've had a terrible pre-season, we haven't played well at all, but we have tonight so that's all that matters."Hull boss Nigel Pearson felt his side were unfortunate to lose but admitted they had only themselves to blame."We've been mugged a bit because of the number of chances we've made," he said.

"We should be taking them but that's the Championship. It's a steep learning curve for some of our lads."

New stadium, new division, new players – but Gus Poyet is adamant some things will never change as long as he is at Brighton.His club are being transformed, and Saturday was a significant staging post on a journey they hope will take them to the Premier League. After 14 seasons without a home to call their own, Albion’s first league game in the Amex Stadium was always going to trigger a flood of emotions.Less predictable was that the most visible outburst would come from Poyet, who certainly produced a splash when he lost his rag with referee Eddie Ilderton and kicked out at a crate of water bottles.Twenty-seven minutes gone in a new home and Poyet had already been sent to his room – or at least to a seat in the stands. The incident added to a day of high drama that was capped with Albion substitute Will Buckley’s late double that clinched the win.Poyet, meanwhile, can expect a call from the FA. However, he remained unrepentant.He said: “I got sent off once as the Brighton manager, at Orient. They didn’t give me a suspension, no fine. I didn’t even have to pay the costs of the hearing.“Why? Because it was an unbelievable penalty that everybody saw and the referee was the only one who didn’t.“I am not going to change, the day I change and I don’t care, then I go home. I don’t know if I’ll appeal. We’ll see what happens. Maybe they will just put the referee in the fridge for two or three weeks. And I will get away with nothing.”Poyet’s post-match comments might not have been upbeat had his side not stirred themselves in the final half-hour to recover from Billy Sharp’s opening goal in the 39th minute.
Brighton’s recovery was set up in the 83rd minute by Buckley on his debut following his £1million move from Watford and clinched with a well-taken finish deep into added time.